53 Best Full-time Chef & Cook Jobs in Balham, London (July 2026)

What we’re looking for: • Previous kitchen experience is preferred but not essential, • A strong work ethic and willingness to learn, • Ability to work well under pressure, • Reliable, punctual, and a great team player

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We are looking for a Head Chef to join our busy Pho restaurant in Balham. Our kitchen has a wonderful team of chefs who work very hard and are great at what they do, so it's important we find the right Head Chef who is going to be supportive, friendly and hands-on, always ready to help in the different sections of the kitchen. ++Salary offer of up to £46,400 includes earnings received through tronc.++ ++And on top of that, a bonus reward of up to £6,000! ++ Who and what is Pho? We are named after Vietnams famous noodle soup- PHỞ. A rich bowl of broth, rice noodle and plenty of meat (or veggies)! But we also have more amazing things to offer in our menu... Here are some examples of some of the many fresh dishes we cook and serve everyday: • Freshly handmade spring & summer rolls, • Homemade pork & lemongrass meatballs, • Crunchy, fresh and flavoursome salads, • Delicious rich curries, • Wok-fried noodles topped with meat, tofu or more healthy vegetables We have grown into a nationwide business, with our teams bringing our fresh food and fantastic service to cities and towns all over the country, building a steady following of 'Pho-natics' wherever we go! What Pho can offer you! • Free fresh meals at work, • 50% off all food and drink when dining in our restaurants, for you and up to 5 friends!, • Get paid every 2 weeks! Or..., • ... Get paid quicker with our Wagestream, • We love to work hard and play even harder at our awesome annual parties!, • Earn more money if your friends join us (£100-£1000 extra for each friend), • Confidential Employer Assistance Program, to support you with any troubles you may be facing., • Company pension, • Amazing training during your first few weeks and beyond, • A nice Bonus! Of up to £6,000 a year! What Pho is looking for: • Hands on chefs who are passionate about cooking fresh, vibrant and flavoursome food., • Head Chef with minimum x2 years' in role., • Experience managing a team of chefs. In Pho we have wok chefs, lines chefs and sous chefs to support you., • Strong knowledge in food safety and managing compliance within health and safety regulations, • Experience controlling stock and par levels through mindful ordering., • Comfortable using different systems as part of your day-to-day. E.g. Acquire for stock ordering. #INDENT

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C&E Recruitment

Trainee Pastry Chef - Production Kitchen - Mayford, Monday to Friday

Trainee Pastry Chef - Production Kitchen We are currently looking for a trainee Pastry Chef for our client near Woking, Mayford. As a commis pastry chef you will work alongside the owner and production team producing high end desserts and afternoon teas for various clients in London. The Perks The trainee chef will receive: A competitive basic salary of between £25,000- £26,0000 depending on experience 45-hour contracted week Monday to Fridays only No late evenings shifts Learning from a highly experienced owner and team Shifts from 7am onwards Working for a high-profile pastry chef with many years of experience Great career progression opportunities The Place Our client specialises in making bespoke luxury desserts outsourcing to high-end hotels, afternoon teas, restaurants, airlines and wholesale and retail trades. Trading since 2005, their business maintains exceptionally high standards and delivers an extensive range of products 7 days a week. The Person The Pastry Chef will have: Trained in pastry or passionate home baker with some commercial experience Ideally be able to drive or live locally to Mayford Proactive & a quick learner Drive to learn and grow Be available for early/late morning starts Have a passion for pastry and good attention to detail Be driven and willing to progress in your career Have the confidence to create and be innovative If you are a trainee pastry chef with a passion for new and creative ideas, ready for your next challenge, apply today!

We are seeking a dedicated Full-Time Sous Chef to join our team at Charley's Flat, a brand new wine bar opening in Balham on August 1st. This is an excellent opportunity for a Junior Sous Chef ready to advance their career. Charley's Flat has been created as a neighbourhood coffee shop, wine bar and gathering place built around great hospitality, thoughtful food, exceptional wine and a genuine sense of community. The role involves a 45-hour work week with consecutive days off. You will work alongside a highly experienced and friendly Head Chef, contributing to a vibrant new establishment. We are looking to hire immediately and we are excited for you to be part of the founding team as we open our doors.

Sous Chef – Pinky Steakhouse | Balham, London Ready to lead one of South London’s most exciting new restaurants? Pinky is a modern neighbourhood steakhouse with a passion for exceptional ingredients, honest cooking, and serious attention to detail. We’re building a small, talented team that takes pride in quality over quantity, and we’re looking for an ambitious Sous Chef who wants to grow with us. This is more than just another Sous Chef position. We’re looking for someone who wants a long-term home, with a genuine opportunity to progress into a Head Chef role as the business expands. What you’ll be doing You’ll work closely with the leadership team to deliver consistently outstanding food while helping shape the future of the kitchen. Our menu is intentionally focused: • Premium steaks cooked over charcoal, • High-quality appetisers and sides, • Seasonal creative specials, • Simple food executed to an exceptional standard What we’re looking for We’re seeking a chef who has: • Strong experience cooking over charcoal grills, • Excellent knowledge of classic European cookery, • A solid grounding in all fundamental kitchen techniques, • Confidence producing quality stocks, sauces and reductions from scratch, • Experience with steak cookery and precise temperature control, • High standards of cleanliness, organisation and food safety, • The ability to lead by example in a small, hands-on kitchen, • A calm, professional attitude under pressure, • Passion for quality and continuous improvement Why join Pinky? • Genuine opportunity to become Head Chef, • Work with a small, passionate and ambitious team, • Be part of a growing hospitality company with exciting future projects, • Creative input into seasonal specials and menu development, • Competitive salary based on experience, • Staff meals, discounts and opportunities for career progression If you’re the sort of chef who believes that the basics matter, loves cooking over fire, takes pride in every plate, and wants to help build something special from the ground up, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now with your CV and tell us why you’d be a great fit for Pinky. If you’re targeting stronger chefs, I’d also increase the advertised salary slightly above the local market—it often improves the quality of applicants significantly.

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